Regeneration of cationic resin in nonaqueous media

Abstract

A process for the direct regeneration of acid resin using a nonaqueous eluant saturated with anhydrous acid.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for the regeneration of spent ion-exchange resin comprising contacting the spent resin for a time sufficient with a sufficient amount of anhydrous acid gas to effectively remove from said resin substantially all undesired contaminants present therein and thereafter recycling the regenerated resin for reuse. 
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein the undesired contaminants present in said ion-exchange resin result from prior treatment of a lubricating oil or a normally liquid hydrocarbon fuel. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 2 wherein the presence of said contaminants results from the prior treatment of a lubricating oil. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 2 wherein the presence of said contaminants results from the prior treatment of a hydrocarbon fuel selected from distillate fuels such as naphtha, kerosene, jet fuel or distillates. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein the anhydrous acid gas is incorporated into a suitable solvent prior to contacting said spent resin. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 5 wherein said solvent may be water-soluble or water-insoluble. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1 wherein said resin is flushed with a suitable solvent after contact with said anhydrous acid gas. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 7 wherein said solvent may be water-soluble or water-insoluble. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 1 wherein the anhydrous acid gas is selected from the group consisting of HCl, HBr, H 2  S, SO 2  and SO 3 . 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 9 wherein said acid gas is anhydrous HCl. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 5 wherein said solvent is selected from CH 2  CL 2 , THF, ethylene glycol, suitable ethers and propanol. 
     
     
       12. The process of claim 7 wherein said solvent is selected from CH 2  Cl 2 , THF, ethylene glycol, suitable ethers and propanol. 
     
     
       13. The process of claim 5 wherein said acid gas is anhydrous HCl and said solvent is CH 2  Cl 2 . 
     
     
       14. The process of claim 7 wherein said acid gas is anhydrous HCl and said solvent is CH 2  Cl 2 . 
     
     
       15. The process of claim 11 wherein the spent resin is a cationic resin. 
     
     
       16. The process of claim 12 wherein the spent resin is a cationic resin. 
     
     
       17. The process of claim 13 wherein the spent resin is a cationic resin. 
     
     
       18. The process of claim 14 wherein the spent resin is a cationic resin. 
     
     
       19. The process of claim 15 wherein the resin is an acid form sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene resin. 
     
     
       20. The process of claim 17 wherein the resin is an acid form sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene resin. 
     
     
       21. The process of claim 16 wherein the spent resin is an acid form sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene resin. 
     
     
       22. The process of claim 18 wherein the spent resin is an acid form sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene resin. 
     
     
       23. The process of claim 1 wherein said regeneration is carried out in non-aqueous media. 
     
     
       24. The process of claim 1 wherein nitrogen salts present in the contaminant-rich stream resulting from removing said undesired contaminants are treated by hydrolysis to produce valuable chemical by-products. 
     
     
       25. The process of claim 1 wherein nitrogen salts present in the contaminant-rich stream resulting from said undesired contaminants are treated by thermal decomposition to produce valuable chemical by-products.